The composition and state of native and introduced woody species in the zone of railway transport influence in the Kola Polar region

The paper analyzes the state and the diversity of native and introduced woody plants used in landscaping railway stations in 5 cities of the Kola Polar region. The species composition is represented by 22 species, 16 genera, and 9 families. Sorbus gorodkovii (39%) is the most common among trees, Rosa rugosa (44%) is the most common among shrubs. The authors have observed two rare introduced woody species (Larix sibirica Ledeb., Syringa josikaea Jacq. fil.) included in Red Data Books of various ranks. 6 categories of plant state have been identified. Betula pubescens has the largest share of healthy plants among indigenous trees species, Malus baccata and Larix sibirica among introduced species, Rosa pimpinellifolia, Caragana arborescens, Crataegus sanguinea among shrubs in the station territories. Sorbus gorodkovii and Padus avium are in a critical state. The agrochemical soil study showed a low availability of nitrogen compounds and a high content of phosphorus and potassium exchange forms. It has been revealed that the main weakening causes are old age of plants, violation of maintenance technology, and failure to comply with environmental conditions.

Study of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds from the bark and leaves of bird cherry (Padus avium Mill.) growing in the Moscow Oblast

This article describes the study of chemical composition of bird cherry (Padus avium Mill.) growing in the Moscow Oblast. The studies were carried out using thin-layer chromatography and qualitative reactions. Presence of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds in the leaves and bark of bird cherry was confirmed as a result of the study.

Ulmus japonica (Ulmaceae) communities in Western Transbaikalia: Distribution, value for biodiversity conservation and perspectives of protection

The East Asian tree Ulmus japonica (Rehder) Sarg. is a nemoral relict species for Western Transbaikalia (See Fig. 1). A few localities of this tree are known in the region, those in the lower reaches of the Selenga River (Yugovo site; Republic of Buryatia) and the Chikoy River (Zhindo site; Zabaikalskii Krai), remote from the main distribution area (See Fig. 2). The study aimed to verify the distribution of U. japonica and to estimate the value of U. japonica communities for biodiversity conservation in the region. Based on the data collected, we discussed some opportunities and suggested approaches for the protection of these unique ecosystems. During the fieldwork in 2018 and 2019, we studied all known localities of U. japonica in Western Transbaikalia and revealed a pleiad of new locations within the site Yugovo as well as a new location (the site Murochi) in the Chikoy River valley within the Republic of Buryatia (See Fig. 2 and 3). Information on the occurrence of U. japonica in the vicinity of Podlopatki village (in the Khilok River valley) was not confirmed. Also, our attempts to find this species at the site within the Barguzin River valley according to the label of the existing herbarium specimen failed. Based on 93 relevés, we examined species composition in woodlands where U. japonica is a codominant species and revealed the main features and peculiarities of the communities in the region. At all sites, monodominant coppices of U. japonica and coenoses where it is mixed with Padus avium Mill. occurred. Nevertheless, Ulmus japonica communities from the site Yugovo differ from those of Zhindo and Murochi in a greater phytocoenotic diversity and the composition of characteristic plant species. Additionally, at Yugovo rather xeromesophytic sparse communities where U. japonica is mixed with Pinus sylvestris L. and Betula platyphylla Sukaczev were found. Characteristic species of shrub and herbal layers at Yugovo site are Carex arnellii Christ ex Scheutz, Circaea lutetiana L., Elymus pendulinus (Nevski) Tzvelev, Festuca extremiorientalis Ohwi, Filipendula palmata (Pall.) Maxim., Hesperis sibirica L., Lamium album subsp. orientale Kamelin & A.L. Budantzev, whereas at Zhindo and Murochi they are Anemonidium dichotomum (L.) Holub, Carex sordida Van Heurck & Müll. Arg, Menispermum dauricum DC., Rhamnus davurica Pall., and Rubia cordifolia L. According to our studies supplemented with data from the literature sources, there are 16 species of vascular plants, lichens, beetles, and lepidopterans registered in Ulmus japonicaforests that are included in the Federal and/or in regional Red Data Books (See Table 1). We have revealed 31 additional rare and relict species of plants, fungi and insects (See Table 2). In total, 19 species were found in Western Transbaikalia or within this plant community type for the first time. The newly revealed rare and relict species could be recommended for listing in the regional Red Data Book or inclusion in the list of species of special surveillance. As a perspective of the protection of communities with U. japonica, we propose to maintain them as distinct clusters under the management of the existing protected areas. Namely, the site Yugovo can be protected as a separate cluster of the Baikal Natural Reserve, likewise, the protection of the site Zhindo can be managed by the Chikoy National Park. The newly discovered site Murochi might be included in the preliminarily proposed Russian-Mongolian trans-boundary Selenga protected area.

Ecological and substrate characteristics of lichenoflora of the State Nature Reserve «Zavolzhsky» (Chuvash Republic)

The paper provides an ecological and substrate analysis of lichens of the State Nature Reserve Zavolzhsky (Chuvash Republic). In the specified reserve 134 species of lichens were found. The ecological and substrate analysis showed that lichens were found on 20 substrates: on the bark of Populus tremula , Tilia cordata , Quercus robur , Acer platanoides , Betula pubescens , Padus avium , Sorbus aucuparia , Frangula alnus , Salix cinerea , S. pentandra , Alnus glutinosa , on the bark and branches of Pinus sylvestris , Picea abies , Abies sibirica , Betula pendula , on soil, on a dead organic substrate, on an anthropogenic substrate (on slate, concrete, wheel rubber). 6 main and 4 intermediate ecological groups of lichens were revealed: 1) epiphytic, growing on the bark of trees and shrubs; 2) epixylic, living on decaying wood; 3) epigeidic (ground lichens); 4) epibriophytic, living on mosses; 5) epiphytic-epixylic, growing on the bark of trees and a dead organic substrate; 6) epixylic-epigeidic, living on a dead organic substrate and soil; 7) lichens growing on the bark of trees and anthropogenic substrate; 8) epiphytic-epigeidic, growing on tree bark and soil surface 9) multisubstrate lichens that live on different substrates; 10) lichens of anthropogenic substrate. The largest number of lichens (61,2%) belong to epiphytic, 16,5% - to epiphytic-epixylic, 5,2% - to epixylic-epigeidic, 4,5% - to epigeidic, 3,7% - to epixylic, 2,3% - to epibriophytic, 0,7% - to multisubstrate lichens, 0,7% - to epiphytic-epigeidic. 3 species of lichens were found (2,3%) on the anthropogenic substrate. Epiphytic lichens were found on 15 forophytes. The largest number of taxa (40 species) were found on Pinus sylvestris s bark, 35 species - on Populus tremulas bark, 33 species - on Betula pendulas bark. 56 species of lichens were found on only one forophyte. The analysis of the confinement to phorophyte showed that the highest level of similarity in the species composition of lichens was found between Padus avium and Frangula alnus - 50%, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies - 49%, Populus tremula and Sorbus aucuparia - 44%, Tilia cordata and Acer platanoides - 41%, Salix cinerea and S. pentandra - 37%.

ASSESSMENT OF MEDIUM QUALITY BY FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY OF BETULA PENDULA ROTH., PADUS AVIUM MILL. AND CRATAEGUS SANGUINEA PALL. IN THE FLOODPLAIN OF THE KARATUZ RIVER (KRASNOYARSK REGION)

The assessment of the state of atmospheric air quality is presented with the use of indicators of fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula, Padus avium and Crataegus sanduinea sheet plastics. The study was carried out at the junction of the Western spurs of the Eastern Sayan and Minusinsk basin between the rivers Sissim, Syda and their tributaries. Leaf samples were taken from four sites. Leaf collection was carried out at the end of the growing season in 2017, during the stop of leaf growth by the method of V. M. Zakharov (2000). The sample of leaves from one site is 30 pieces, a total of 120 leaves are processed. The results were processed according to the method of S. I. Marchenko (2008). The indicator "width of the left and right halves of the leaf" is variable according to the results of the study. The size of the left and right halves of the leaves varies in Crataegus sanguinea within 0.65 mm, for Betula pendula the width of the leaf blades varies in the range of 0.45 mm, for Padus avium the width of the leaf blades varies by 0.15 mm. the Sample from the forest is characterized by low integral indices of asymmetry. The nature of environmental quality is characterized as an initial deviation from the norm. Pesticides and carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are likely to be stress factors for the environment in the study area. The ecological condition of the natural area is characterized on average as satisfactory.

Ontogenetic variability of morphological characters of Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. on different species of trees in different ecological conditions

The current paper is about the morphological characters variability of the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri . The studies were conducted on the territory of the Mari El Republic in the flooded lime-tree forest of the Bolshaya Kokshaga river. The thalli of E. prunastri of different ontogenetic states (v1, v2, g1v, g2v, g3v, ss) were collected on Tilia cordata , Padus avium , Quercus robur at a stem height of 0,5 to 2 m and on Abies sibirica branches at heights of 3-4 m, 5-6 m, 7-8 m. Tilia cordata is the most favorable substrate for the development of E. prunastri thalli for most of its characters. The character of the thallus development (the length of the thallus) is minimal in Padus avium . The characters of death (the number of dead branches, the length of the cortex blackening area) are maximal on Padus avium , which indicates more accelerated aging processes of the thallus in this phorophyte. The thallus of E. prunastri , which grows on the branches of Abies sibirica , has the largest lengths at heights of 3-4 and 5-6 m in comparison with the height of 7-8 m. At higher altitudes, longer soralia are formed, hence, more soredia are formed. The values of most characters of E. prunastri , which grows on the right bank of the Bolshaya Kokshaga river are bigger than on the left bank, which is due to differences in the lighting of habitats. The length of the soralia on the right bank (the best lighting) is more in Quercus robur than in Tilia cordata . The variability of morphological characters is manifested in different ways in different ontogenetic states.